During a live interview on Fox News, members of the Guardian Angels, a private crime prevention group, tackled and restrained a man they claimed was a migrant caught shoplifting. The incident occurred as Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the group, was speaking to Sean Hannity from Times Square about the supposed wave of crime and chaos caused by new arrivals to New York City. As Sliwa spoke, several red-jacketed Angels began to move off-camera, drawing attention to an off-screen disturbance. The camera panned to reveal the Angels surrounding and restraining a man in a hooded sweatshirt. Sliwa exclaimed, "Our guys have just taken down one of the migrant guys on the corner of 42nd and 7th where all of this has taken place. They've taken over!".

However, it was later revealed that the man was not a migrant but a New Yorker from the Bronx. The police stated that the man had allegedly tried to disrupt the live interview and was issued a disorderly conduct summons for his actions. The police did not provide any evidence to support the Guardian Angels' claim that the man was shoplifting. The incident sparked controversy, with some advocates for immigrants blaming local officials and the police department for fueling fears of a "migrant crime wave" despite the city's crime rate remaining largely unchanged since the arrival of asylum seekers.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Sliwa explained that he had believed the man was a migrant because he was "speaking Spanish" and because other Guardian Angels had encountered him with other Spanish speakers during previous patrols. Sliwa defended the actions of his group, stating that they restrained the man to prevent him from harming himself or others.

The Guardian Angels have been a fixture in New York City since 1979, patrolling the streets and subways during the city's high-crime days. However, they have faced criticism in the past, including allegations of targeting people of color. Sliwa himself admitted to fabricating some of the group's early exploits for publicity.

City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who represents the area around Times Square, criticized the Guardian Angels' actions, stating that vigilantism is not the answer and can escalate conflicts. He emphasized the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle such situations.

This incident comes in the wake of a brawl in Times Square between police and a group of migrants, which has further fueled tensions and backlash against asylum seekers in the city. The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration and crime, with different perspectives on the impact of new arrivals on the city's safety.